Development and content validation of the Upper Limb-Motor Learning Strategy Tool for cerebral palsy

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Rehabilitation
• Neurorehabilitation
• Motor Learning

Background:

• Cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts motor function in children, particularly affecting upper limb use.
• Effective upper limb therapy for children with CP relies on evidence-based motor learning strategies.
• Clinicians require standardized tools to guide and document the implementation of these strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and content validation of the Upper Limb-Motor Learning Strategy Tool (UL-MLST).
• To create a tool that guides clinicians in implementing and documenting motor learning strategies for pediatric upper limb therapy.
• To ensure the UL-MLST is relevant, coherent, significant, comprehensive, and clinically useful.

Main Methods:

• The study involved two stages: item generation/development and content validation/refinement.
• The UL-MLST was developed, including an Online Training Program, Manual, and Checklist.
• Two experts evaluated the UL-MLST's strategies for relevance, coherence, and significance, and the tool's overall utility.

Main Results:

• Out of 62 strategies in the UL-MLST, 52 were rated as "Moderately" or "Highly" Relevant, Coherent, and Significant.
• Ten strategies required revision based on expert feedback but were not deleted.
• The UL-MLST was collectively judged as Relevant, Comprehensive, and Clinically useful by experts.

Conclusions:

• The UL-MLST is a validated tool supporting clinicians in implementing motor learning strategies for children with cerebral palsy.
• The UL-MLST package (Online Training Program, Manual, Checklist) offers comprehensive resources for upper limb therapy.
• This tool can enhance the fidelity, quality, and consistency of evidence-based, task-focused therapy approaches.